-Caveat Lector- http://denverpost.com/news/news1217a.htm Webb: Drug raid a mistake By Marilyn Robinson Denver Post Staff Writer Dec. 17 - Denver Mayor Wellington Webb said Thursday that police blundered in a "no-knock'' drug raid that ended in the death of a father of nine. "It was the wrong house,'' Webb said during an interview with talk show host Mike Rosen on 850-KOA. However, Webb spokesman Andrew Hudson said the mayor does not have inside knowledge of the Denver police internal investigation into the no-knock raid. "His comments are reflecting the community's concerns, and ultimately the investigation will determine whether it was the wrong house,'' Hudson said. "The investigation will tell that for sure.'' Ismael Mena, 45, was killed Sept. 29 in an exchange of gunfire with police during the raid at his northeast Denver home. Last week, police raided the house next door - the one neighbors said should have been raided in the first place. Webb also sent a condolence letter to Mena's family Thursday. The mayor's comments and letter came a day after the FBI launched an investigation into the death of Mena, a Mexican citizen. A federal investigation had been requested by Mexican officials. "I told (Webb) the family had not been offered an apology, information or condolence,'' said Carlos Barros, the Mexican consul general in Denver. Barros said he told the mayor he thought the family deserved all of that and "both economic and moral restitution.'' Mena "has been portrayed as a criminal, and I don't think he was a criminal,'' Barros said. "I think he was a victim.'' Mena's son hailed the mayor's actions. "I'm happy that they're beginning to admit they made a mistake,'' said 21-year-old Heriberto Mena. "It doesn't bring back my father, but it gives me a modicum of joy that they're beginning to recognize they did something wrong.'' Young Mena's comments, in Spanish, were translated by Denver lawyer Robert Maes, who has filed a claim with the city on behalf of the family. "I'm not sure the mayor's statements are genuine. I hope they are,'' Maes said. "The mayor indicated the police hit the wrong house. . . . If he said that, it warms my heart that the city has decided to take a more humane approach to situations where an innocent person is killed by police.'' Authorities say they fired at Mena after he drew a gun and fired. In addition to the FBI probe, a local special prosecutor is looking into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. One of the biggest issues is the affidavit used to get authorization for the raid, which was written by Officer Joseph Bini. Bini said in the affidavit that a confidential informant had purchased drugs at the house where Mena was living. However, no drugs were found in the home, or in Mena's system. Later, police raided the house next door, recovering drugs and arresting three suspects. Copyright 1999 The Denver Post. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. -- ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
